"jw" wrote in message
ups.com...

Dave Lyon wrote:
See my other post for more detail. In summary: Pure acetylene at
15-ish
pounds doesn't "burn", a process which does indeed require oxygen.
Instead, it "deflagrates", a process of chemical breakdown that has no
need whatsoever for oxygen to be present in order to happen. (presence
of oxygen may in fact inhibit deflagration in some cases) The only
commonality between the two processes is that they both generate a lot
of heat.


I read your other post. Thanks, very informative. But, I have a
question.
If acetylene "defagrates" at around 15 psi, how do they get it into my
tank
at 250 psi or more?

I am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that is the
reason for the acetone and matrix in acetylene tanks. It helps to
stabilize the acetylene and prevent(or at least limit) this problem.

JW


OK, I've done a little research (very little)

This is what I've found from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflagration

Deflagration is a process of subsonic combustion that usually propagates
through thermal conductivity (hot burning material heats the next layer of
cold material and ignites it). Deflagration is different from detonation
which is supersonic and propagates through shock compression

The best I can tell, deflagration IS combustion. Combustion REQUIRES an
oxidizer of some sort.

If I'm still wrong, please point me to a site where I can learn more.